“Who are you getting your letter of recommendation from?” is a common question that juniors have been asking each other after returning to school for an important semester—a semester with multiple AP tests and preparation for college applications. Amongst the many events happening during the second semester, juniors also have to begin requesting teachers for letters of recommendation. Because of this, many have grown determined to “lock in”—to focus—during the second semester to get a good letter of recommendation. But does this really benefit them?
“Locking in” is a slang phrase used by students who intend to fully commit and focus on something. As juniors begin requesting teachers for letters mid-second semester, many have been promising a stronger commitment to their academic lives.
“I wrote 20 letters for juniors applying to college excluding letters for summer programs last year,” Angela Campbell, AP Chemistry teacher, said. “I do not have a limit on the number of letters I write but I do tell them I can not write a recommendation from them if I do not think I can write good things for them. I can not say much in their favor.”
Teachers at SIS write a varying number of recommendations; for example, some teachers write three letters per year while some write over 20 letters. Although most teachers do not limit the number of letters they write, multiple teachers reported that they are upfront with their students–if they believe they do not have good things to write about, they will be honest.
“Although some teachers have a cap on how many recommendations they will write, I do not,” Nathan Warkentin, precalculus teacher, said. “However, I do give my honest assessment to each student who asks me. Sometimes I recommend that students not ask me for a letter, but I have also had students ask me anyway, and I have written for them to the best of my ability.”
Many juniors, watching the early acceptance results of their upperclassmen, are starting to feel anxious about college admissions. In addition, the “Kicking Off the College Counseling Process” presentation by College Counselor Kelcey Edwards officially took place for the Junior Class on Jan. 21, creating a stronger stir of emotions.
With the reveal of the upcoming rigorous process of college counseling, juniors are feeling a deeper necessity to maintain a solid student profile for the second semester. However, the saying “locking in for second semester” does not seem to bring the benefits that most believe will bring.
“Locking down for the second semester does not work for me because I am considering evidence from things that I have seen throughout all of my interactions with a student,” Mr. Warkentin said. “If a student were to start doing crazy amounts of homework second semester, while also having done virtually none during the first semester, I just would not write about it because the evidence is inconclusive. My job as a letter writer is not to get you into college despite your academic traits and habits; it is my job to help you get into college because of your academic traits and habits.”
Ms. Campbell also explored a similar perspective.
“I think building a relationship with a teacher starts the minute you meet a teacher,” Ms. Campbell said. “Building a relationship is not just something you do consciously. You put a burden on the teacher by asking for a letter so it is better to be humble and aware of that. I spent around 40 hours writing recommendations last year. The people doing it really have to like you. I enjoy having students ask questions and show interest in the topic. I love it when they come in during office hours or after school.”
Interviews with teachers display that it may be too late to try to restore one’s reputation as a student for a good recommendation after a semester. Of course, working hard is a valuable trait as a student. However, when a student has already put poor effort into the first semester, “locking in” just for the second semester will not bring benefits to their letter of recommendation.
